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Carter GT, Javaher SP, Nguyen MH, Garret S, Carlini BH. Re-branding cannabis: the next generation of chronic pain medicine? Pain Manag 2015; 5:13-21. [PMID: 25537695 DOI: 10.2217/pmt.14.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of pain medicine is at a crossroads given the epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths from prescription opioids. Cannabis and its active ingredients, cannabinoids, are a much safer therapeutic option. Despite being slowed by legal restrictions and stigma, research continues to show that when used appropriately, cannabis is safe and effective for many forms of chronic pain and other conditions, and has no overdose levels. Current literature indicates many chronic pain patients could be treated with cannabis alone or with lower doses of opioids. To make progress, cannabis needs to be re-branded as a legitimate medicine and rescheduled to a more pharmacologically justifiable class of compounds. This paper discusses the data supporting re-branding and rescheduling of cannabis.
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Goldsmith RS, Targino MC, Fanciullo GJ, Martin DW, Hartenbaum NP, White JM, Franklin P. Medical marijuana in the workplace: challenges and management options for occupational physicians. J Occup Environ Med 2015; 57:518-25. [PMID: 25951421 PMCID: PMC4410963 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although possession and use of marijuana is prohibited by federal law, legalization in four states (Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington) and allowance for palliation and therapy in 19 others may reposition the drug away from the fringes of society. This evolving legal environment, and growing scientific evidence of its effectiveness for select health conditions, requires assessment of the safety and appropriateness of marijuana within the American workforce. Although studies have suggested that marijuana may be used with reasonable safety in some controlled environments, there are potential consequences to its use that necessitate employer scrutiny and concern. Several drug characteristics must be considered, including Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC, or THC) concentration, route of administration, dose and frequency, and pharmacokinetics, as well as the risks inherent to particular workplace environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S. Goldsmith
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
| | - Marcelo C. Targino
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
| | - Gilbert J. Fanciullo
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
| | - Douglas W. Martin
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
| | - Natalie P. Hartenbaum
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
| | - Jeremy M. White
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
| | - Phillip Franklin
- From Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Dr Goldsmith), East Hanover; Johnson & Johnson (Dr Targino), New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Anesthesiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Dr. Fanciullo), Lebanon, NH; UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's, Occupational Medicine (Dr Martin), Sioux City, IA; Occumedix, Inc. (Dr Hartenbaum), Dresher, PA; Kaye Scholer LLP (Mr White), Washington, DC; and Bayer Corporation (Dr Franklin), Asbury, NJ
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Carter GT, Ugalde V. Medical marijuana: emerging applications for the management of neurologic disorders. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2004; 15:943-54, ix. [PMID: 15458761 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2004.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Marijuana contains over 60 different types of cannabinoids, which are its medicinally active ingredients. Cannabinoids have the capacity for neuromodulation--through direct, receptor-based mechanisms--at many levels within the nervous system, providing therapeutic properties that may be applicable to the treatment of neurologic disorders. These include antioxidation, neuroprotection, analgesia, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, modulation of glial cells, and tumor growth regulation. This article reviews the current and emerging research on the physiologic mechanisms of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids and their applications in the management of neurologic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory T Carter
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Avenue, Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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